The grapevine reproducesvegetatively by shoot cuttings, layering or grafting. The preparation of grape seedlings is very easy, thanks to which we can easily acquire new plants. We advisewhen to propagate grapevines through cuttingswhat is needed for this,how to pick grapevinesand how to take care of them tovine propagationwas successful and the new plants took off he althily!
Propagation of the grapevine. Grape seedlings on the window sill
Fig. depositphotos.com
Grapevine propagation by shoot cuttings
Grapevine propagation is best doneby rooting lignified one-year-old shootsFor this purpose, a woody, he althy, approx. 6 mm thick bed is selected. Such a base can only be obtained from three-year-old shrubs.
Most grape varieties easily root through woody cuttingsHowever, there are some differences in rooting due to the degree of lignification and varietal specificity. The root of such varieties as 'Isabella', 'Bianca', 'Lakemont' or 'Interlaken' is usually more difficult to root than the others.
When do we pick the grape seedlings?
The vine multiplication begins in autumn , when we cut the bed right after shedding the leaves, which allows to avoid frost damage to the eyelets. Then the skids are digged in the garden to a depth of about 30 cm or stored until spring in a cellar, in slightly moist sand or peat.
You can use stems of various lengths for the propagation of grapevines :
- short cuttingsare usually made of 1-2 eyelets,
- long cuttingsare prepared from 3-5 eye shoots.
In amateur conditionsthe most popular method is rooting single-eyed cuttings . This method is especially recommended for the propagation of new or rare grape varieties due to its high efficiency.
How to make grape seedlings?
We start rooting the grape cuttings at the end of FebruaryBefore planting, the bed is soaked in lukewarm water for a day or at least a dozen hours.Then the single-eye cuttings are pruned, leaving 1 , 5-2 cm over the eyelet and 5-8 cm below the eyelet. For double-eye cuttings, the upper cut is made in a similar way, and the lower cut is made approx. 2 mm under the lower node. The lower eyelet is removed with a knife.
How to plant grapevines?
Plant the grapevines in a moist substrate , sinking them almost under the eyelet.
When rooting double-eye cuttingsthe pots in the upper half are filled with sand, and the lower half with fertile soil with peat. At an appropriate temperature of 20-25⁰C, small roots appear after about 10 days.
Two-eye grapevine seedling
a) sand, b) soil, c) callus, d) roots
Fig. © Joanna Białowąs
From the moment the green leaves appear, the pots should be put in a well-lit place. After one monththe grapevines can be transplanted into larger pots .
Long vine cuttings (40-50 cm long) are planted straight into the warm ground in mid-April. To prevent root damage when transplanting seedlings, it is better to choose a destination for them right away. To make sure that they are established in one place, 2-3 shoots are rooting, and then the strongest plant is left behind.
Propagation of the grapevine. Long seedlings
Fig. © Joanna Białowąs
Vine cuttings should be placed in fertile, well-loosened soilusually at an angle of 40⁰ to the soil surface. The lower cut is made 2 mm under the knot, often obliquely. Buds, except for the top 1-2, are removed. There is a small mound above the buds, which you carefully part as the buds develop.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
